Windows into Wilderness Tour

June 1 - August 31, 2015

Travel to Mile 30 of the park road, stopping at Mile 12 – Mountain Vista Trailhead. Join a 90-minute guided hike on the ¾ - mile maintained trail. Under the leadership of a science educator from the Murie Science and Learning Center, you will satisfy your curiosity about the subarctic ecosystem.

You will meet an Athabascan cultural interpreter, who will talk about the Dena’ina subsistence way of life. An ancient native wisdom passed down through generations allows Athabascans to survive in an unforgiving environment with deep respect for their lands.

Resource conservation, natural foods and medicine, close observation of animal behavior and climate have been taught to generations of Athabascans. Demonstration of traditional hand work completes this cultural and science experience.

Continuing along the park road, the Driver/Naturalist weaves a narrative of the colorful characters once part of the park’s history. Traveling above timberline, the expansive tundra landscape undulates from gentle slopes to America’s highest peak, Mt. McKinley or Denali. The vast wilderness may inspire you to imagine traveling the trails etched by early explorers or across the well-worn path of migrating caribou. Wildlife—large and small—may appear at any time.

At the Teklanika Rest Stop, you may stand on the open air deck above the Teklanika River to scan for wildlife, enjoy views to Cathedral and Igloo Mountains and the upper Teklanika River Valley. The Rest Stop is the turnaround point for this tour.